Anger over Angela Rayner comments after ill Knowsley councillor stood down
The campaign video, which now appears to have been deleted, was described as ‘despicable’ by the leader of Knowsley Greens
by Lisa Rand
A row has broken out in Knowsley as the election battle hots up ahead of polling day tomorrow after comments made by Labour’s Angela Rayner in support of two candidates standing in Roby.
While introducing the two Labour candidates for the ward, Gary See and Kevin Bannon, in a video posted online, Rayner appeared to take aim at the previous Green councillor in Roby, who vacated his seat in March.
In the video clip, which has been viewed by the Monitor, Rayner says: ‘the Greens, as soon as they got elected, they just went off’.
The clip was shared by members of Knowsley Labour, including by council leader Graham Morgan, prompting criticism and angry reactions online from Green party members and local residents because the councillor, Paul Woodruff, had resigned after being unable to fulfil his role amid bereavements and personal ill health.
Green party leader Kai Taylor said the comments were ‘despicable’ given the circumstances that led to the councillor vacating the seat, and which has led to two seats being up for election in Roby this week.
It follows angry comments online by some residents. Responding to a post by Knowsley Greens expressing their outrage at what was described as ‘disgraceful’ comments made by the MP, one resident said ‘I’ve never seen anything so vile’.
Kevin Bannon is already a sitting councillor in the ward and is standing in a bid for re-election whilst Gary See is hoping to make a return to elected politics after previous stints on the council, including as a cabinet member, before losing his long standing Halewood South seat to independent Allan Harvey in 2018.
Paul Woodruff resigned from the council in March after a period of absence brought about by bereavement and personal illness. Knowsley Green Party released a statement at the time confirming Woodruff had stepped down following ‘tragic personal circumstances’.
These included, the statement continued, ‘the deaths of both his parents, while at the same time, Paul was having treatment and surgery for a serious health condition.’
At the time, Woodruff said: ‘I'd like to thank the voters in Huyton and Roby that put their trust in me, but through a series of tragedies one after the other, I have struggled to fulfil my council duties to the level of commitment and time I had intended, and promised to voters.
‘In the best interests of our community, and my own well-being, I've made the decision to step down and hand the responsibility to others who can make good on delivering for residents into the future.’
Knowsley Green Party is fielding two candidates in the ward, Alan Mackenzie and Ste Murray in the hopes of gaining both seats, following election successes in recent years and amid a huge bump in membership for the party locally, which is the main opposition on Knowsley Council.
At the time of writing, a post featuring the video that had been posted by Knowsley Labour Roby and shared by local councillors appears to have been deleted.
There has been a big push by Labour in Knowsley to cling onto seats as voters are set to choose a third of councillors in the borough tomorrow. It’s a risky time for the ruling Labour group, who could potentially lose control of the council if things don’t go their way, with the Greens and Reform both hoping to make gains.
The battle has led to high profile politicians visiting the borough on the campaign trail in recent days, from Labour figures such as Andy Burnham, deputy leader Lucy Powell and Rayner to recently-elected Green MP Hannah Spencer.
The Monitor has approached Knowsley Labour leader Graham Morgan and MP Angela Rayner for comment.
*Candidates standing in Roby in this year’s Knowsley Council election are: Kevin Bannon (Labour), Gary See (Labour), Alan Mackenzie (Green), Ste Murray (Green), Sue Cockerill (Reform UK) and Tony Burke (Reform UK). Voters can select up to two candidates.
